Business Enabler Dubai SME Expands With Hamdan Innovation Incubator
Applications are now open for a 16-week incubator supporting 20 Emirati technology founders.
Dubai SME, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development under the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, has integrated the Hamdan Innovation Incubator (Hi2) into Dubai Founders HQ, a government-backed platform that supports startups and entrepreneurs in Dubai.
As part of the integration, applications have opened for a 16-week technology incubator that will support 20 Emirati founders in developing early-stage ideas and minimum viable products (MVPs), validating them in the market and preparing for initial business growth.
The programme is scheduled to begin in October 2026, with applications remaining open until August 2026.
Launched in 2025 under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), Dubai Founders HQ is a joint initiative between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, designed to support entrepreneurs at different stages of building and scaling their businesses.
According to Dubai SME, embedding Hi2 within Dubai Founders HQ is intended to create a structured pathway for Emirati founders, from developing an initial concept through to building businesses ready for investment. The incubator is open to entrepreneurs regardless of whether they have previously secured funding or established a company.
The Hamdan Innovation Incubator was established in 2014 under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to support innovation and entrepreneurship among Emirati founders.
